Soldier in Hawaii pledged loyalty to ISIS

John SextonPosted at 9:21 pm on July 10, 2017

An active duty soldier at the Schofield Barracks in Hawaii was arrested and charged with providing support to ISIS. Ikaika Erik Kang allegedly pledged loyalty to ISIS and then attempted to steal military documents. From ABC News:

The criminal complaint against Kang alleges that he pledged allegiance to ISIS and attempted to provide the organization with documents and military training, the FBI said.

“Terrorism is the FBI’s number one priority,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Paul D. Delacourt said in a statement. “In fighting this threat, the Honolulu Division of the FBI works with its law enforcement partners and the Joint Terrorism Task Force. In this case, the FBI worked closely with the U.S. Army to protect the citizens of Hawaii.”

He continued: “Kang has been under investigation by the U.S. Army and the FBI for over a year. FBI assets and Army investigative resources were continuously deployed to ensure the public’s safety during the course of this investigation and Kang’s eventual arrest.”

Kang enlisted in the military a few months after the 9/11 attacks and served overseas in both Afghanistan and Iraq. The Associated Press adds that Kang, “was an air traffic control operator at Wheeler Army Airfield.” Hawaii News Now spoke to Kang’s father:

“He’s a great kid. He’s not real outgoing, he’s never been, but neither was I,” Kang told Hawaii News Now. “But other than that he’s a great kid, a normal kid who grew up in Waimanalo.”

His father also believes his son may be suffering from PTSD from his tours overseas.

Kang was arrested Saturday and was scheduled for his first court appearance Monday afternoon.